My baby cockatiel won't eat. Is it a crop burn from hot formula?

It is common for young birds to lose their feeding response as they become weak, and this may be what is happening with Toni. It is more energy taxing to move the neck/head than it is to chirp. The line that you are seeing is part of the organs in the belly. If you look closely, you can see a number of organs. This is because their skin is so thin that you can see through it. I would recommend having Toni evaluated by a veterinarian. They can perform an examination on Toni to ensure there are no obvious abnormalities, and may provide some supportive care for him. Additionally, I am not sure what you are formula you are feeding, how much, and how often - these are all important items as we need to make sure Toni is getting enough calories to grow and thrive. Your veterinarian can help to guide you with these items based on the cockatiel's weight. The crop is small in the pictures that you sent, but I am not sure how long ago you had fed before taking the picture so this may be appropriate. Please ensure that Toni is being kept warm as well - ideally he would have an area that is 90-100F. Monitor the area with a digital thermometer to ensure it is not getting too hot or too cold. Without proper temperatures, Toni won't be able to digest his food well. I hope this gives you a place to start, and good luck!

Thanks for reaching out about your bird and including photos. A crop infection with a yeast (Candida) is highly likely, but bacteria could also be a component. Without medication, recovery is unlikely. Supply heat support in the 80-85 F range for immune support. Schedule a veterinary visit for prescription of medications. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Charlie. Crop infections or impactions are common in cockatiels. A veterinary visit is recommend to assess and provide a treatment plan. Provide heat support in the 80-85 F range for support.. Offer small amounts of water in an attempt to loosen or dilute crop contents. Good luck.

I'm sorry to hear about Nala. I would be concerned that there may be an issue with his crop, such as a hole in it, something causing an obstruction, illness or infection, or other issue, especially if you cannot fill it all the way or he vomits up any extra. Having a vet take a look in person is best to try and see if there are any visible issues with it that can be found. Until you can get to your vet, feeding smaller meals more often may help Nala get enough food to keep growing without overfilling his crop and making him ill.

You should have the chicks or parents examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet. A culture may identify bacteria. If you are hand feeding, use fresh food for each clutch. Clean and sanitize all equipment between feedings or clutches. Clean and sanitize all cages, bowls, toys nest boxes and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Change cage paper daily. Make sure the chicks are kept warm and are emptying their crops regularly. Sour crop, or crop stasis, can result in a hard crop full of spoiled food and bacteria or fungi. This can kill young chicks if left untreated.

Thanks for reaching out about Rick and including a photo. An over-sized crop can be due to over-eating or a disease. Crop infections (bacteria, fungal), ingested foreign bodies and obstructions, systemic illness are all possibilities. Check and correct husbandry, as baby birds need to be kept warm. If the crop appears firm, offering small amounts of water and massaging the crop might help. If Rick appears ill, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Hi and thank you for your question, The crop does look distended, especially if this is not right after a feeding. I don't recommend stopping the formula at once regardless of his age. You should reduce it gradually and only stop it once he is getting very little (5-10ml once daily) and is eating well on his own. Hopefully the crop will come down to a more normal size. Regards